Pokkiri is a 2007 Tamil action thriller film directed by Prabhu Deva. It stars Vijay with Asin, Prakash Raj, Mukesh Tiwari and Anandaraj. Music by Mani Sharma. It was released on 12 January 2007 (Pongal).
Tamizh is a fearless hired gun in Chennai's underworld who catches the eye of gangster Ali Bhai and joins his gang. He falls for aerobics teacher Shruthi, who is repelled by his violence, while also attracting the attention of a lecherous police inspector who wants her. Meanwhile, Commissioner Mohammed Mohideen Khan has secretly planted an undercover officer inside Ali Bhai's operation, and the gang becomes desperate to unmask the mole, said to be the son of a retired inspector.
Vijay plays an undercover IPS officer posing as a rowdy, a stylish, swaggering mass role with punch dialogues that became career-defining. It is widely called the biggest blockbuster of his first 15 years.
Figures are trade estimates reported at the time and may vary.
Remake of Puri Jagannadh's Telugu hit Pokiri (2006) starring Mahesh Babu, Vijay's childhood friend from Madras.
Prabhu Deva's first Tamil film as director.
Shooting began on 6 July 2006 at the Ganesha temple in AVM Studios and wrapped by late November.
Vijay's second pairing with Asin after Sivakasi (2005).
Its punch line 'Oru vaati mudivu panna...' was reused by Vijay in Beast (2022), whose director Nelson cited Pokkiri as inspiration.
Vadivelu's 'Vada Poche' comedy inspired a Sun Music show and a song.
Ran more than 200 days in Tamil Nadu; the 200-day function was attended by Kamal Haasan.
It ranked second at the 2007 Tamil box office, behind Rajinikanth's Sivaji.
Third-highest-grossing Tamil film in Kerala at the time.
Dubbed into Hindi as Wanted Baaghi and Odia as Wanted Police.
Re-released in 4K worldwide on 21 June 2024 for Vijay's 50th birthday.
Parodied in Tamizh Padam and Lollu Sabha.
Reviews were mixed: Sify found it 'enjoyable while it lasts' and Chennai Online credited the 'Vijay-factor', but Rediff gave two stars calling it a badly made remake. Ananda Vikatan rated it 42/100. Audiences, however, embraced it overwhelmingly.
Its dialogues and comedy tracks remain staples of Tamil pop culture, and its repeated re-releases and Beast homage show its lasting status among Vijay's signature films.